Toilet Seat Automatic Closure and Lid Restraint Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an automatic toilet seat closure device and mechanism that is able to automatically close the toilet seat or both the toilet seat and toilet cover in response to flushing the toilet bowl using a handle. In one embodiment, the invention is further capable of restraining the decent of the toilet cover while allowing only the toilet seat to lower. It has a standardized appearance and adequate strength for use with all types of flush type toilet tanks It can be conveniently, efficiently, and inexpensively manufactured, assembled, and mounted with minimal labor and time. It can be installed as an add-on or can be manufactured as part of the toilet bowl system.

BENEFIT CLAIM TO PRIOR PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/832,246, filed Jun. 07, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to toilet seat closure devices and mechanisms.

BACKGROUND

It is a common point of contention whether the toilet seat should be left up or down in between use. Women would usually prefer the seat to be down in between uses, but men typically forgetfully or intentionally leave the seat up. There is therefore a need for a device that will automatically lower the toilet seat and toilet cover in between uses.

Self-closing toilet seats are known in the art. However, to the knowledge of the applicant, none of the known devices are in common use or have met commercial success. Thus, there is a need for a simple and aesthetically non-intrusive device to automatically lower toilet seat covers between uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a major objective of the invention to provide a device or apparatus to automatically close the toilet seat or both the toilet seat and toilet cover in response to flushing the toilet.

It is another objective of the invention to provide an improved and simple device or apparatus capable of providing standardized appearance and adequate strength for use with all types of flush type toilet tanks.

It is another objective of the invention to provide a toilet seat-closing device or apparatus that can be conveniently, efficiently, and inexpensively manufactured, assembled, and mounted with minimal labor and time.

These and other objectives are satisfied by a device or apparatus for a toilet with a base, a toilet seat and toilet cover hingedly mounted to the base, and a toilet flush tank affixed to said base, said flush tank including a partially rotatable flush handle, said device or apparatus comprising:

-   -   An arm bent at an angle such that said arm comes into contact         with said toilet cover when said toilet is flushed; and     -   A means for attaching said arm to said flush handle.

Further objectives of the present invention are satisfied by a method of lowering a toilet cover hingedly mounted to a toilet base and resting against the toilet lid, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   Attaching a bent arm to the rotatable flush handle attached to         the toilet flush tank; and     -   Flushing the toilet by rotating the flush handle thereby causing         the arm to rotate so that the arm comes into contact with the         toilet lid with sufficient force to cause the lid to impact the         toilet seat cover, causing the toilet seat cover to move into a         closed position.

In one embodiment, said arm is attached to the flush handle by drilling a hole in said flush handle and inserting said arm into the hole.

In another embodiment, said arm is manufactured as an extension of said flush handle.

In another embodiment, said arm is attached to the flush handle by a clamp at the end of said arm.

In another embodiment, said arm is attached to the flush handle through use of an adhesive.

In another embodiment, the device or apparatus also includes a protective material, said protective material affixed to said toilet cover to prevent scratching by said arm and to provide additional friction.

Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the inventive device or apparatus should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet assembly embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a toilet flush handle with arm attached.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toilet assembly embodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a toilet flush handle with arm incorporated as part of the handle.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a toilet assembly with an additional embodiment the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the toilet seat closing device or apparatus of the present invention. The toilet 9 comprises, a toilet seat 4 and toilet cover 3 hingedly mounted to the base 5, and a toilet flush tank 1 affixed to said base 5, said flush tank 1 including a partially rotatable flush handle 2.

In this invention, an arm 6 is attached to the flush handle 2. The arm 6 is bent at an angle such that said arm 6 comes into contact with said toilet cover 3 when said toilet 9 is flushed. As shown, the arm 6 comes into contact with the toilet cover 3 in response to the rotation of the flush handle 2. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the contact of the arm 6 with the toilet cover 3 causes the toilet cover 3 to contact the toilet seat cover 4, which in turn causes the toilet seat cover 4 to lower until it is resting on the toilet bowl 5.

The arm 6 in this invention, shown in FIGS. 1-5, may be comprised of any appropriate material so long as that material provides sufficient rigidity and strength to retain structural integrity over time. For example, it may be comprised of plastic, metal, composites, or ceramics. The material is acceptable so long as it retains its rigidity, strength and structural integrity for many thousands of flushes.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the arm 6 is attached to the flush handle 2 by drilling a hole in the flush handle 2 and inserting the arm 6 into the hole and securing the arm 6 with a wing-nut 8. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the arm 6 is manufactured as an extension of the flush handle 2. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, the combination arm 6 and flush handle 2 can be retrofitted to the toilet 9.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 shows a protective material 7 attached to the toilet cover 3. The protective material 7 may be comprised of any material so long as that material provides sufficient strength and durability to retain its structural integrity for many thousands of flushes. In some embodiments, the protective material 7 will be level with the toilet cover 3. In these embodiments, one purpose of the protective material 7 is to protect the toilet cover 3 from scratching from contact with the arm 6.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the protective material 7 will be raised off the toilet cover 3 in such a way as to allow the arm 6 to slide under the protective material 7 to ensure that only the seat cover 4 lowers when the arm 6 makes contact with the toilet cover 3.

As noted, there are several variations contemplated by the invention. For example, the device or apparatus can be installed as an add-on or as an integrated part of a replacement flush handle. Further, the device or apparatus can be manufactured as part of the original toilet structure. In addition, the device or apparatus can be compatible with many types of toilets, including those with slam resistant seat covers.

It should be apparent to one having ordinary skill in art that the various parts of the invention may be comprised of any appropriate material so long as that material provides sufficient rigidity and strength to retain structural integrity over time. The possible design and color variations of the arm are essentially unlimited so long as such aesthetic variations do not interfere with the function of the device or apparatus.

Given the foregoing, variations and modification to the invention should now be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art. These variations and modifications are intended to fall within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A device or apparatus for a toilet with a base, a toilet seat and toilet cover hingedly mounted to the base, and a toilet flush tank affixed to said base, said flush tank including a partially rotatable flush handle, said device or apparatus comprising: (a) An arm bent at an angle such that said arm comes into contact with said toilet cover when said toilet is flushed; and (b) A means for attaching said arm to said flush handle.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm is attached to said flush handle by drilling a hole in said flush handle and inserting said arm into said hole.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm is attached to said flush handle as an extension of the flush handle during the manufacturing process.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises a protective material, said protective material affixed to said toilet cover where said arm contacts said toilet cover.
 5. The apparatus of claim [4.] wherein said protective material is applied as a coating.
 6. The apparatus of claim [4.] wherein said protective material is shaped to allow said arm to slide under said protective material when the toilet is flushed.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said apparatus is attached to a toilet wherein said seat cover is hingedly mounted to said base in a way designed to retard the seat cover's rate of decent towards the base.
 8. A method of lowering a toilet cover hingedly mounted to a toilet base and resting against the toilet lid, the method comprising the steps of: (a) Attaching a bent arm to the rotatable flush handle attached to the toilet flush tank; and (b) Flushing the toilet by rotating the flush handle thereby causing the arm to rotate so that the arm comes into contact the toilet lid with sufficient force to cause the lid to impact the toilet seat cover, causing the toilet seat cover to move into a closed position.
 9. The method of claim [8.] wherein the method further comprises attaching a protective material to said toilet lid.
 10. The method of claim [9.] wherein the method further comprises said arm to sliding under said protective material when the flush handle is rotated so that only the seat cover lowers when said arm makes contact with said toilet cover. 